The UK has officially welcomed a new town, offering cosy pubs, a charming tearoom, scenic river walks and a thriving community.

Situated north of Oxford and near the regional airport, the town of Kidlington has a bustling high street and a growing population. Yet, until earlier this year, it was actually a village and one of the largest in the UK, for that matter.

The Oxfordshire community has almost 14,000 residents and is larger than some of England’s better-known towns. Kidlington previously attempted to change its status from a village to a town in 1988, but the proposal was rejected at the time, and its residents carried on as normal, holding their favoured status.

However, after almost 40 years, Kidlington was finally declared a town last month, following a unanimous vote by the Parish Council. The board noted it has the “population, services, and infrastructure of a town”, and there are some perks to the change.

Following the government’s changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the National Policing Guarantee last year, towns receive additional protection, particularly in planning and policing decisions. The town currently has plans to build more homes in the area and raise its population to over 30,000.

Yet, some residents are unsure of its higher status as a town, as a resident told the Metro: “I would prefer it to be a village – it just got more of a community feel to it. A town to me seems something that it’s not. I don’t know what it represents, being a town.”

They added: “I can’t see by being a town it’s going to improve.” Meanwhile, others feel disheartened by losing its title as one of the biggest villages in Europe.

But politics aside, Kidlington is situated in a picturesque position, near the charming Cotswolds, between the River Cherwell and the Oxford Canal. There are plenty of scenic walks to enjoy in the town, and it’s conveniently less than a 30-minute drive from Oxford city centre.

It’s an ideal base for those commuting to Oxford, with the nearby Parkway railway station offering a route into the city in under 10 minutes. But for those spending time in the town, there’s the 13th-century church with a majestic 220-foot spire, and the high street, packed with shops and cosy pubs, including The King’s Arms and The Boat Inn, along the river.

Taking advantage of its location, there’s the Thrupp Canoe and Kayak Hire Centre to meander along the river, before a stop at the charming Annie’s Tea Rooms. There’s also the Thrupp Community Forest offering a woodland stroll, and nearby the Willowbrook Farm for days spent exploring.

The town is also near the market town of Bicester, which boasts its famed outlet village, offering discounted brands. Meanwhile, less than 10 minutes away is Blenheim Palace, the notable birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to acres of serene grounds to explore. Nearby is also the iconic Harry Potter tree, featured in the franchise movies, which is well worth a visit after a stroll around Kidlington.

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